Automotive Industry News & Information - Schaeffer Automotive

Fuel economy isn't far from the minds of vehicle owners everywhere. Why can certain cars zip along at close to 40 mpg while others are lucky to get anywhere near 20? As it turns out, there are as many factors that go into how well your ride does at the pumps! Here are the 10 factors that have the greatest impact on fuel consumption.

Your drive belts run everything - your AC, power steering, alternator, and water pump are all dependent on the belts that turn them. At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, our goal is to keep your truck maintained, so you’re never stuck out on the road. Drive belts are a critical part of that goal.

Chances are you don’t pay much attention to your vehicle’s battery until it dies, when you get to perform the dreary dual task of waiting for a jump while simultaneously calling for an appointment to get a new battery fitted. Of course, that’s if you’re sure it’s the battery that’s dead in the first place. The only way to be certain is to take it in to be tested. However, it generally helps to know the health of your vehicle battery prior to finding yourself stranded.

At Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN, our objective is to keep your diesel truck on the road, where it belongs. Whether it’s maintenance, repair, or information that keeps you from needing a repair, we do our best to keep you informed on how to best take care of your diesel truck. Cavitation is a leading killer of diesel engines. It’s an interesting process, albeit an expensive one if your diesel engine is a victim of cavitation. From our team here at Schaeffer Automotive, here's what you should look out for:

Fleet cars, vans, and trucks see a lot of wear and tear. If your engine has already called it a day, then it’s obviously case closed - you need a new engine or a new vehicle. However, there are many times when an engine is about to go down, and you can get it taken care of before it kicks the bucket for good - saving you time and towing in the process.

Does your car, truck, or SUV shift at the wrong moment? Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg has the solution. Shift point issues can manifest themselves in two ways; either your car will rapidly shift through several or all the gears at low speed, low rpm, getting to the highest gear before you’ve gained enough momentum, or shifts will be delayed, the transmission refusing to shift until far into the RPM range.

Alignment is the position of your wheels in relation to your vehicle and how they interact with the road. When your vehicle is properly aligned, your wheels will point in the same direction as the vehicle. To maintain proper control of your car, you must keep your wheels in proper alignment. Otherwise, steering will become difficult, your tires will wear unevenly and your fuel economy will decrease.

You’ve likely heard that diesel engines are ok to idle indefinitely, and that it’s even good for them. Where does this logic come from, and is it true? Schaeffer Automotive in Huntingburg, IN has the answers.